Method and system for allocating on-demand resources using a connection manager

Abstract

A method and system provide a user-friendly mechanism that allows the user to access remote on-demand resources through a network only when the resources are required. These on-demand resources are accessed using a connection manager that is enabled on a client when, for example, the user moves a mouse cursor to an active edge of the client computer screen. Once enabled, the connection manager allows the user access to any on-demand resources to which the user has authorization. These on-demand resources can be freed from the user when they are no longer needed, so that these resources can be used by other users.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method for allocating on-demand resources using a connection manager, comprising:
 prompting, by a client computer, a user to input a first credential on the client computer; 
 verifying the first credential using authentication information stored on a server computer; 
 connecting the user, through a network, to daily resources of the server computer after the user is authenticated; 
 upon receiving, at the server computer, an instruction from the client computer to add on-demand resources, activating a connection manager that opens a window at the client computer to allow the user to add the on-demand resources that are not currently accessed by the user, wherein the client computer provides the instruction when a cursor moves to an active edge on a computer screen of the client computer; 
 prompting the user to input a second credential associated with the on-demand resources; and 
 verifying the second credential associated with the on-demand resources. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , if there are more than one available on-demand resources, displaying the available on-demand resources using the connection manager from which the user can select. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising connecting the user to one or more of the on-demand resources through the network. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active edge is defined in a configuration file stored on the client. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active edge is on a top portion of a computer screen. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user provides the instruction by activating a button on a computer screen of the client computer. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first credential allows the user to access the selected on-demand resources. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connection manager disconnects the user from the on-demand resources. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connection manager provides collaboration between multiple users. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the on-demand resources are static resources that are dedicated to the user. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the on-demand resources are selected from a group of resources. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the group of resources is associated with roles. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the user has access to one or more of the roles associated with the group of resources. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the user has access to more than one role, the method further comprising prompting the user to select one of the roles. 
     
     
       15. A system for allocating on-demand resources using a connection manager, comprising:
 a server that stores authentication information and connection information; 
 
       a client comprising:
 a processor executing instructions for:
 prompting a user to input a first credential, 
 connecting the user to daily resources after the first credential is authenticated, 
 upon receiving an instruction from the user to add on-demand resources, activating a connection manager that opens a window to allow the user to add the on-demand resources that are not currently accessed by the user, and 
 prompting the user to input a second credential, wherein the second credential is associated with the on-demand resources and is verifiable; and 
 
 a network that connects the user to the on-demand resources, wherein the instruction is provided when a cursor moves to an active edge on a computer screen of the client. 
 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the processor executes instructions for automatically connecting the user to one or more of the on-demand resources through the network. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sever stores on-demand resources that are groups of resources associated with roles, and the user selects one of the roles in order to add the on-demand resources that are associated with the one of the roles. 
     
     
       18. A non-transitory computer readable medium of a storage device and providing instructions for allocating on-demand resources using a connection manager, the instructions being executed on a computer and comprising:
 prompting a user to input a first credential on a client; 
 verifying the first credential using authentication information stored on a server; 
 connecting the user, through a network, to daily resources after the user is authenticated; 
 upon receiving an instruction from the user to add on-demand resources, activating a connection manager that opens a window to allow the user to add the on-demand resources that are not currently accessed by the user, wherein the user provides the instruction by moving a cursor to an active edge on a computer screen of the client; 
 prompting the user to input a second credential associated with the on-demand resources; and 
 verifying the second credential associated with the on-demand resources.